HOMEWARDBOUND WINTER 2018You raised over $200,000

for the Deck Partyand $24,000 for Giving Tuesday

to help us make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring.

G ary had been out of work for nine years due to

an autoimmune illness. After years of medical appointments and incorrect diagnoses, Gary fi nally recovered. However, once healthy he struggled to fi nd work and lost his housing. He temporarily helped his friend recover from surgery in exchange for a couch to sleep on but eventually he had nowhere to go.

Gary began staying at the Paul Lee Loft in February 2017. “I needed a leg up. The loft gave me food, shelter, and a place to shower.” Shortly after arriving, HSC connected him to services and referred him to the Rapid Re-Housing program, which began working with Gary on his search for employment and housing. He found work through a temp agency and his background as an alarm technician quickly gained him a full-time position for a local locksmith.

With the help of Rapid Re-Housing (fi rst month’s rent and security deposit), Gary moved into permanent, stable housing in March 2017, a month after arriving to the Paul Lee Loft. A few months later, he was able to move into a slightly larger unit on the same property and he now shares it with his teenage son.

Since getting into housing Gary said, “The bills are paid and I always have food in the fridge.” He sees his kids on a regular basis and this summer Gary was the offi cial grill master for his kid’s little league team. He’s thankful for the support he received while at HSC.

Meeting People Where They Are: Gary’s Story

Gary needed a “leg up” and his stay at the Paul Lee Loft helped get him back on his feet.

115B Coral St.Santa Cruz CA 95060 www.santacruzhsc.org

MissionHomeless Services Center partners with individuals and Families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing.

VisionWe hold fi rmly to a vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief and non-recurring.

133 people housedsince January 1, 2017.

1878 people received services fromJanuary 1, 2017.

115B Coral StSanta Cruz, CA 95060www.santacruzhsc.org(831) 458-6020

Thank you!

19th Annual

Save the Date!Thursday, April 19, 2018

5:30pm to 7:00pmSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s

Cocoanut Grove

I nterning at the Homeless Services Center (HSC) is a sincere lesson in real world skills. For my internship I spent time in multiple different assignments, all dependent on where the need

for the day was. This internship taught me about how to use my available resources to best benefit individuals and the organization as a whole. My time here has provided me with the tools to engage in a meaningful way with those experiencing homelessness and has given me more motivation to work in community-based solutions for population and public health issues.

Throughout my time at HSC, I generally assisted at four different assignments: desk greeter in the Rebele Family Shelter, helping in

Homeless Services CenterBoard of Directors - FY 17-18

OfficersClaudia BrownPresidentRetired, Marketing/Sales

Maggie McKaySecretaryRetired, County Mental Health

Marsha ShanleInterim Vice PresidentAttorney

Sibley SimonTreasurer President, New Way Homes

DirectorsWendy AmanRealtor

Katherine BeiersFormer Two-Time Mayorof Santa Cruz

Rosa CyphersResident Advocate

John DietzPresident, PrimeMuse

Jonathan HickenDevelopment DirectorMuseum of Art and History

Theresa SilveiraProject Consultant, Cisco

Ron SlackFormer Publisher, Good Times

Robin Stevens50 States Marathon Club

Mark TrabingRetired – City Housing and Development Manager

EmeritusRowland RebelePublisher

StaffPhil KramerExecutive Director

Rebecca StecklerDeputy Director

YOU can help someone find a home today!Mail your check in the envelope included, go

to www.santacruhsc.org and hit the Red Donate button or call 831.226.2485.

Thank you!

An Environment of Understanding and ToleranceMireya Avila, HSC Intern

the computer lab/resource center, covering the mailroom, and the showers at Paul Lee Loft. Each of these positions taught me humility and kindness, and anytime I needed any assistance whatsoever the staff at HSC provided guidance and patience. The depth of their commitment and compassion has enhanced not only the lives of their clients but the Santa Cruz community as well.

“Interning at the Homeless Services Center is a sincere lesson in real world skills.”

The dedication of every individual that works, donates, or volunteers here has fostered an environment of understanding and tolerance that works to end homelessness and strengthens the community in the process.

Santa Cruz is now home for Tom Stagg, HSC’s Director of Programs since February 2017. Tom first came to the Central Coast to attend the Master of Public Administration program at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He chose to earn an MPA after 10 years in non-profit services, including

6 years managing employment services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Portland, Oregon. After graduating the MPA program in 2016, Tom explored options along the West Coast and considered international positions before choosing to make the short journey around Monterey Bay to Santa Cruz.

Tom finds that Santa Cruz, as a community, is recognizing the importance of addressing the issue of homelessness, and he sees one challenge, which is agreeing on solutions and implementing them effectively. For HSC services, that means focusing on placements in permanent housing, securing necessary financial support, developing skilled staff, and integrating into the greater continuum of care.

“Working on making sure that everyone is housed is an incredible challenge for Santa Cruz, but it’s also an opportunity to match the natural beauty and creative climate of our region with a compassionate and inviting housing system that welcomes everyone into the community,” says Tom.

Welome Tom StaggHSC’s Director of Programs